John Espley has been named Chamber Member of the Year for 2021 by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
 
“John is someone that knows everyone, He’s a familiar face at Chamber mixers and was one of the people who helped make our virtual events so successful this year,” says John Wilson, chair of The Chamber’s Board of Directors. “We’re delighted to recognize John for his support and I look forward to celebrating with him in 2021, as we continue working to rebuild and add resilience to Greater Victoria’s economy.”
 
Espley is a vocal champion of The Chamber and has been involved with the organization since the 1990s. Currently the Chief Connector for Connection Skills, Espley served as Chair of The Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2007. He is now a member of the Chamber’s Board of Governors.
 
“He is one of the strongest supporters of The Chamber I’ve ever met,” says Agilus Work Solutions’ Branch Manager Rose Arsenault, who nominated Espley and was herself Chamber Member of the Year for 2019. “John is always positive, always sharing information about the organization. He believes in the value of being a member and is always singing the praises of Chamber activities and advocacy efforts.”
 
For more information on The Chamber’s Member of the Year and all the categories in the 2021 Business Awards, go to victoriachamber.ca.

Canada’s Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly said BC could have its own agency to help businesses bounce forward after COVID-19.

“We need to be much more focused on British Columbians’ realities and needs, and the pandemic has exacerbated this reality,” Joly said in a report by Postmedia this week. “When you look at other regions of the country, there is a very strong presence of the federal government. But that’s not necessarily the case as much in British Columbia.”

The Western Economic Diversification Agency currently serves BC as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Joly was a guest speaker last Friday at the South Island Prosperity Partnership‘s Rising Economy Week.

Joly, pictured above, spoke to Chamber members last year as part of our Business Leader Series of luncheons.

Meet the candidates: Chamber hosts discussion on priority issues for business in Victoria
The Chamber hosted a virtual Candidate Discussion today ahead of the City of Victoria‘s by-election on Dec. 12.

The panel featured five candidates selected for their experience and approach to business issues facing the city. We also think voters should be aware of which candidates are running as independents, and who is running on behalf of a slate. The five who took part in the discussion:

• Sean Leitenberg, independent
• Jason Heit, independent (has now chosen to endorse Stephen Andrew)
• Bill Heflin, independent
• Stefanie Hardman, Together Victoria’s candidate
• Stephen Andrew, independent

You can watch the video at victoriachamber.ca/vicbyelection. On the same page you can find the Questions and Answers open to all 11 candidates on the ballot.

For more information on when and where to vote, including for those who own property in the city but reside outside it, go to victoria.ca.

The Chamber has been a vocal advocate for increased immigration as Vancouver Island is facing a severe labour shortage over the next decade. On Oct. 30, the federal government announced an ambitious increase to immigration levels to try and make up for the low number of new arrivals this year.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Minister Marco Mendicino said Canada will bring in 401,000 immigrants next year, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.

“It’s difficult to predict exactly how many newcomers will arrive in the Capital Region over the next three years,” the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria says in its latest newsletter. “Usually, we see roughly 2,000 annually.”

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling on government to ensure new arrivals to Canada are a match for sectors that need workers. The pandemic has skewed the unemployment rate, though the fundamental concerns will likely still be there after the economy recovers.